Parliament remembers Madiba, father of our Nation
Tomorrow marks one year since the passing of Nelson Mandela, our first democratically elected President, elected by South Africa’s first democratic Parliament.
On 28 April, just one day after South Africa’s first non-racial and democratic election was held 20 years ago, Parliament unveiled a bust of former President Mandela in the Parliamentary precinct.
The bust – in bronze on a granite plinth – depicts a dignified, serene Mandela, smiling slightly and looking out over Stalplein to the Parliament gates leading to Plein Street, opposite the steps of the National Assembly building.
Parliament’s decision to commission the bust and to erect it on the precinct was motivated by the desire to commemorate our 20 years of a democratic Parliament, our democratic state and our first democratically elected President.
It is hoped that the bust will provide a place for people to gather when they visit Parliament and that it will inspire public memory about the long road we have travelled to democracy and what still remains to be achieved.
Planned events early in 2015 to mark 20 years of democracy and a democratic Parliament include a three-day seminar reflecting on our democratic Parliament and a review of sectoral Parliaments, such as Women’s Parliament, Youth Parliament and People’s Assembly. Other unifying commemorative ideas, as part of the roll out of celebration of 20 years of democracy, are also being considered.
